Credits

The Problem: Traditional Crowdfunding Is Broken Kickstarter’s Fatal Flaw You back a project: $50, $100, maybe $500 You get: A product (if it ships) You don’t get: Any ownership in what you helped create The creator: Keeps 100% of the equity Result: You funded someone else’s dream, but you don’t share in the success StartEngine’s Missing Piece You invest: $100, $500, maybe more You get: Equity shares You don’t get: The actual product you want Result: You own part of something you can’t use The Choice Nobody Should Have To Make Traditional crowdfunding forces you to choose: ...

Tab System Three-Gear Currency Architecture A platform currency system comprising three distinct gears: Gear Currency Purpose Economy Gear 1 Platform Credits Stable internal value, purchased for backing projects All economies Gear 2 Platform Marks Effort-debt currency for work completion Weak economies (enables participation without upfront capital) Gear 3 Platform Joules Stored value for long-term platform ownership Strong economies (future value appreciation) Key Features: Separate ledgers with controlled conversion between gears Legal compliance (Credits = reward points, not securities) Tab accumulation for deferred payment with interest Currency differential absorbs external economic fluctuations Why This Matters The Three-Gear Tab System solves the “chicken and egg” problem of platform economies: ...